A Take on 2017 by a 73 year old

2017 Conservatives win by election by a whisker unless Ed Ball’s stands: interesting projection because Ball’s policy views are so different to current Labour Economy ticks over in anticipation of Exit in 2019 and as the year progresses a realism is acknowledged by EU 27 that a good deal with us is equally important to them The £/€ exchange rate will hover between 1.25 and 1.30 which gives us some devaluation benefit The SNP will start to lose support due to a realism that their approach to EU Exit is unworkable and that the SNP economic forecast of the consequences of Exit become increasing clear to be exaggerated, in the same way as the pre Referendum doom forecasts have proved to be. Labour continues it move to the left and street politics and we experience effectively a one party democracy. Reselection will play its role and more middle of the road Labour MPs will look elsewhere for employment The Media will take on the role of the ‘opposition’ but lose ground because they are considered by the electorate as part of the ‘old liberal elite’ and we will see further advance of news by social media Social and health care improvement has to be left in abeyance until there is an intelligent projection of the wealth of the UK after Exit EU. You cannot spend money on a hope and a prayer so whilst Government will look to efficiency and administrative improvement any major advance has to wait The principle that ‘best practice’ must prevail everywhere will become prominent and is no doubt the immediate way ahead for improvement in social and health care. Labour and the Unions will fight this as more often than not this means that ‘soft jobs ‘ will either go or become ‘efficient jobs’ The more people use the railways the bigger the issue becomes whereas in the old Nationalised days the issue was ‘getting more people to use ‘ a rotten railway. So the operators have to up their game with operators competing on the same tracks: it is the competition between Ryan Air and Easy Jet which has kept the fares down and service good Trump settles in increasing infrastructure spending and reducing USA regulations with their economy powering ahead. China and Russia learn to appreciate that America and the West now has a strong Leader who will not allow America to be messed about. All foreign policy decisions will have a trade feature. NATO will become stronger because all States will have to pay their share The Middle East will continue to be an international hot bed and problem until the economy of the average person meets that of Europe and America so that the ordinary people have a vested interest in maintaining that status and they will rise up and demand peace so that they can enjoy a western life style. Here it is the right wing elite who want to preserve the status quo and their power and wealth by keeping the ordinary person in check-war and terror is their tool for doing this! Increased social media will assist this as it opens up the benefits of western life to those who currently lack it. This can still be achieved within a religious setting Here in UK we are aghast at the tragedies we watch on our TV screens and mobile devices but can do nothing about it Threat of terrorism will bring about increased EU27 border controls at the State level as that is the only practical way for security, very much in line with the requirements of the UK. So whilst important economic migration to Europe will continue, it will be slower and scrutinised to ensure that only the type of people needed get in Hopefully the UK will get through 2017 without a terrorist event Our foreign aid budget will diminish using the excuse that proper management is illusive so that we have no choice so avoiding criticism that it is embedded in Law and must be met at all costs. The law will eventually be repealed and future aid based on established need The healthy and active retired will continue to enjoy their life. This generation of retired are in a similar position to the youth of today-no previous generation has had such opportunities for a productive life. There will always be some who do not, both young and old but again social benefits and welfare has never been better for those really in need In sport England rugby will continue to prosper. The Lions will win a Test in New Zealand but the series unlikely yet the younger players may surprise us! Test match cricket in UK will decline unless the Team performs but it is difficult to compete against the popular appeal of T20 A take on 2017 by a 73 year old! year